Coverage of Apple's iPhone 4 Press Conference

[mudbug99]

Attention cuts both ways

Apple has to know that with the attention they get for doing things right, so will attention come for doing things wrong. If one is blown out of proportion, so will the other be. Other less visible brands can have problems slip under the radar, but Apple cannot.

Nevertheless, we have 15 or so iPhone 4's in the office, and not a single one experiences this issue. Nor do I know anyone else who has complained about it. I don't doubt that it occurs, but I'm having trouble believing that the hysteria is proportional to the problem. If it were, unless I live and work among the luckiest people around, I would think I should know someone with it. After all, according to CNN just now, the iPhone is plagued. We do, however, have a Blackberry that drops signal, severely, when gripped. There are obviously some vocal people with the issue, this will be picked and and echoed by every Apple bashing or otherwise attention seeking news outlet, and Apple will have to respond in some form.

Seems to me Steve has pretty much dealt with it. Free case, or a free return. You don't like the phone, return it, and good luck with Android. And then go buy a Dell, then you will see support and reliability at its best (sense the sarcasm).

 

[PerfSeeker]

Don't get so worked up my friend.

You don't even have an iPhone 4 yet. The overwhelming majority of iPhone 4 owners do not have reception problems. Odds are, neither will you.

But it can't be good to own a phone that you know has a serious design flaw.

 

[sravana]

This was my first iPhone purchase. And it's a really amazing gadget. And while I can hold it such to make it drop bars (sometimes), I haven't had a dropped call or anything yet. I imagine if that consistently (or even occasionally) happened I'd be ticked about it and would seriously consider returning the phone and asking for a replacement or a refund. I would not act as if Steve Jobs personally ransacked my wallet and took my hard-earned money. I chose to buy the phone. If you want to swap commentary on how you're disappointed with how the new iPhone turned out, that's one thing, but the garment-rending melodrama from the people in here is mind-blowing. It's a wonder the forum server doesn't crash as it's full with peoples' sense of entitlement, bile, and bitterness. Go outside and hang out in the sunshine for a while or something. Sheesh.

+10,000

 

[Glideslope]

They only compared bars, they didn't show us a 3GS
People didn't call because they knew what they would be told.
And people held their phones normally because they showed us they had put the gap where you hold a phone normally? Really?

Again, obvious why they did this on a Friday, they are just slinging all the stuff they can and going to wait the weekend to see what sticks and what doesn't. Put a 'free prize' out in the near future to foster a 'wait and see what this does' attitude and hope the problem can be swept under the carpet.

Apple has lost all integrity.

Agree completely. Very sad day. iPhone 5 in 8-10m.

 

[NickK1066]

10:53AM Q: On the September 30th date, is that to let people know that you'll have to buy a case?
Steve: Not really, we'll reevaluate then. Maybe we'll have a better idea. Maybe Eminem will come out with a band-aid that goes over the corner and everyone will want that.

Could that be construed as an admission that there's a fault with the design's left corner?

 

[JPark]

But who here does not have or plan on having a case of some sort for their iPhone4?

I can't imagine not having some sort of case? I've had one for ever phone I've owned... especially my iPhones to protect them.

I think the complainer here are just here to stir up trouble. I wish they'd go play somewhere else... this whole thing is so stupid.

Bottom line... if you don't like it... return it or don't buy it. Otherwise... enjoy and be happy.

Many people go caseless. I've never used a case on my iPhone and none of the people around me in line when I waited for the 4 had a case either. Apple puts a lot of time/money/effort into the look and feel of their devices. To me it seems really stupid to pay for all that and then throw a case on it.

 

[adztaylor]

Steve showing us how to hold it!

 

[baryon]

And now that Steve told us that the problem was over-hyped, people are going like "oh, actually, I never had any dropped calls... Oh and I never looked at the bars until I read about the problem on the net... I wouldn't have noticed otherwise."

 

[venasque]

people not satisfied with this should just return the phone to make a statement. Whining on the internet is is not gonna be counted toward any stat. Apple did what many people wanted them to do - admit there is a flaw. aside from a complete overhaul, there is nothing they can do about it. There will be no recall because you can still go and return the phone. People that want to keep the phone get a free bumper/case to help alleviate some of the issues. Still not satisfied? you can still return the phone. I'm sure its disappointing to some, but we all knew not everyone was gonna be happy with the outcome.

Agreed. This is pretty much how I feel.

If someone is TRULY dissatisfied, stop complaining about it and do something that will have the greatest impact. Return the phone.

 

[deltadog03]

Don't get so worked up my friend.

You don't even have an iPhone 4 yet. The overwhelming majority of iPhone 4 owners do not have reception problems. Odds are, neither will you.

And I agree with you!! More than likely when I do get one it won't have a problem, I guess I just don't like the fact that they knew some people where going to have this issue when the other iphones didn't...But, I will def. buy one when I am able too...

 

[SkippyThorson]

OMG! TYPING IN CAPS AND BOLD REALLY DOES MAKE ME MORE IMPORTANT AND BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE!

Amen.

10:48AM Q: Will there be refunds for AT&T contracts?
A: I believe so, yes.

This could be big. Under the radar now, but big later on.

10:53AM Q: On the September 30th date, is that to let people know that you'll have to buy a case?
Steve: Not really, we'll reevaluate then. Maybe we'll have a better idea. Maybe Eminem will come out with a band-aid that goes over the corner and everyone will want that.

Whatwhatwhat? Did I miss something funny there? What the hell is he talking about? How does Steve even know the name 'Eminem'? That was too random.

 

[tatonka]

Deal with it. Options are pretty clear.

And I don't need to like them nor does it waive me rights to complain or bitch.

Why don't you add something useful to the discussion for a change. You know something you thought was great about the statement, something that you didn't like instead of just telling other people to shut up.

You are the greatest troll of all here, you give legit Apple fans a bad name and you are certainly not helping Apple in any way with your comments. People like you are the reason Apple fans are assumed to be arrogant and the reason Apple gets away with **** like this.

T.

 

[Stridder44]

Good to know Eminem is working on a fix, too.

I laughed harder than I should have.

 

[grmatt]

This was my first iPhone purchase. And it's a really amazing gadget. And while I can hold it such to make it drop bars (sometimes), I haven't had a dropped call or anything yet. I imagine if that consistently (or even occasionally) happened I'd be ticked about it and would seriously consider returning the phone and asking for a replacement or a refund. I would not act as if Steve Jobs personally ransacked my wallet and took my hard-earned money. I chose to buy the phone. If you want to swap commentary on how you're disappointed with how the new iPhone turned out, that's one thing, but the garment-rending melodrama from the people in here is mind-blowing. It's a wonder the forum server doesn't crash as it's full with peoples' sense of entitlement, bile, and bitterness. Go outside and hang out in the sunshine for a while or something. Sheesh.

Yeah, I agree. The point to which society has succumbed is ridiculous. We sounds like snobs ... "Waaaahhhh, I have (had) to buy a case for my $600 smartphone I got which 99% of the world cannot justify as an expense, or hold it differently."

 

[PerfSeeker]

Apple has to know that with the attention they get for doing things right, so will attention come for doing things wrong. If one is blown out of proportion, so will the other be. Other less visible brands can have problems slip under the radar, but Apple cannot.

Nevertheless, we have 15 or so iPhone 4's in the office, and not a single one experiences this issue. Nor do I know anyone else who has complained about it. I don't doubt that it occurs, but I'm having trouble believing that the hysteria is proportional to the problem. If it were, unless I live and work among the luckiest people around, I would think I should know someone with it. After all, according to CNN just now, the iPhone is plagued. We do, however, have a Blackberry that drops signal, severely, when gripped. There are obviously some vocal people with the issue, this will be picked and and echoed by every Apple bashing or otherwise attention seeking news outlet, and Apple will have to respond in some form.

Seems to me Steve has pretty much dealt with it. Free case, or a free return. You don't like the phone, return it, and good luck with Android. And then go buy a Dell, then you will see support and reliability at its best (sense the sarcasm).

Another post of "we got ours, screw everyone else".

 

[Somtaaw]

And I can't get my ip4 to do it. What's your point?

Calm yourself Atlas boy. It was a quote of one of the questions from the QA. My iP4 is fine too

 

[Iamnezzy]

I really don't see the problem here.

Maybe I'm more mature than most on here (which wouldn't be hard being honest), but Steve has demonstrated that other smartphones by other manufacturers have this issue if you grip them in a way that crushes the signal.

This is not unique to the iPhone 4. That's the first thing. That's the facts of the matter. Go ahead and moan, bitch, complain, cry, take a tantrum, stamp your feet, whatever ... hell, return your phone.

The next thing is that people need to accept that this issue isn't affecting every, single user.

Third, this whole thing HAS been blown out of proportion. As Steve said, it's like "X marks the point". The second it was pointed out you could touch it and make something happen, everyone began trying it.

I still don't know anyone who makes calls holding the phone like that. Deep within your palm, the pad of your thumb keeps the phone away from your face. While browsing the web, as a right handed person, I hold the phone in my left hand in the "death grip", so to use my right hand to navigate the device. While about about in a decent area where signal is strong, there's no drop in bars.

Sky News are being positive about this, bloke from Stuff magazine is on saying the iPhone is a superb device, the Sky presenter is trying to make the bars drop LIVE on television, and they won't. And that's inside a studio.

People will no now doubt quote me, attempt to ridicule me, and I hope you have fun venting, I won't be watching ...

WeegieMac has left the building.

Nail on head, great post!

 

[mattster16]

You do realize that all of those people overblowing the problem on here have now labeled you a fan boy...

Yeah, whatever, I'm fine with that..

 

[Dalien]

If my phone is one of the low... .55% then I want to be able to return and exchange for a WORKING one... I DONT WANT A BUMPER!!!

 

[Jaro65]

I'm happy. A free bumper does it for me!

 

[derek4484]

The FCC doesn't allow antennas on the top. They don't really have a choice in the matter I think.

WTF are you talking about? Every flip phone or candybar phone I ever had, had an antenna on top. The droid x has the antenna up in the top of the phone.

 

[wovel]

+10,000

Both of you are part of the majority of users here. Unfortunately they are viciously attacked by the trolls whenever they express their opinion.

 

[Kavier]

I'm still waiting for the "What about people who want to use the iPhone without a case" question. They never ask the right things.

Here ya go (via Engadget):


10:58AM John Gruber: Do any of you use the cases? I don't.
Steve: Well I don't. And I get better reception, I hold it like this [death grip] and never see problems.

 

[thelatinist]

My 3GS dropped from 5 bars to 1 bar last night holding it in the "death grip." Right now (in a stronger signal area) it will only drop from 5 to 4. In any case, it's clear that it's not just the iPhone 4.

 

[CFreymarc]

PEOPLE STOP COMPLAINING!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE YOUR IPHONE TAKE IT BACK AND GO ELSEWHERE, THEY ARE GIVNG YOU A FREE CASE AND YOUR STILL NOT HAPPY!! I BET ALL THE PEOPLE ON HERE WHO ARE MOANING B*****S ARE STILL KEEPING THERE IPHONE

THERES MORE TO LIFE THAN MOANING, ITS JUST A PHONE, GO GET C***BERRY IF THE IPHONE IS THAT BAD!!!!!!!

Very well said and the right typeface! There are jerks on here that just get off on bitching any problem they can find. These types start the fire and laugh as the building burns down. They enjoy the last gasp of someone dying they just knifed. They spent time on /b/ in the middle of the night.

Those types, remember there are more of us than there are of you. In addition, we know how to bite back and put you in your place.